What is physical performance? Similarities with energy consumption

Physical performance and its similarities with energy consumption

Physical performance is directly related to energy consumption. In the case of a person, physical performance requires energy consumption, specifically oxygen. Depending on the type of activity and the intensity with which it is performed, the consumption of oxygen increases, along with the production of energy generated through energy metabolism, which allows us to run, walk, work, think, etc. Interestingly, the performance and energy efficiency of a mechanical ventilation system is measured similarly but with different parameters. In this case, oxygen is no longer consumed to obtain mechanical or neuronal energy, but rather electric energy is consumed to obtain mechanical energy that allows the air to move to renew the contaminated indoor air and replace it with clean air from the outside.

Efficiency in mechanical ventilation systems

Ventilating an indoor space incurs energy costs due to the consumption of fans that are integrated into the ventilation system, and the heat exchangers that heat the air coming from outside in winter and cool it when the air supply is performed in summer.

All mechanical ventilation systems have an operation that allows them to reduce energy consumption. Some guidelines that can be followed are:

• Reduce the air flow used in ventilation, always ensuring indoor air quality levels

• Employ systems that recover energy from the extracted air

• Use fans with very low electric consumption motors

• Install the duct network with good planning: wide diameters, avoiding too many curved sections in the layout.

It is very important that the technician or installer invests time to thoroughly analyze the installation before starting the installation to find the simplest way to channel the air. A logical and simple final installation where curved sections and ducts of reduced diameter are avoided will provide a significant energy savings to the installation, also avoiding an excessive noise level during its operation. Through new materials and increasingly efficient ventilation systems, manufacturers are able to reduce the energy consumption of their ventilation systems. In this regard, all ventilation systems usually have devices that allow them to influence the ventilation flow, maintaining a minimum level of renewal that eliminates contaminant emissions from building materials, decorative elements, or human metabolism. In the case of the grills incorporated into windows as part of the ventilation system, they must meet the following requirements to achieve acceptable levels of energy efficiency:

• They must have the ability to regulate between 75% and 100% of the maximum flow.

• The "0" position must allow up to 10% of the flow to pass.

• In addition to the "0" position, there must be at least 2 positions with a difference of 10% between them.

• Self-regulating ventilation grills with pressures between 1 Pa and 25 Pa shall not have a reduction in flow greater than 20% of their nominal capacity.

• Transit grills, mounted on interior doors, should not have regulation.